SMC unveils results of 2nd phase of government support programme

June 10, 2014 9:26 am

Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) announced the results of the second phase of its government support programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative targeted at all government entities in Sharjah and aimed at promoting government communication in the emirate.

The announcement was made during a meeting that was held by SMC at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of SMC, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Director-General of the Department of Information and e-Government, Khamis bin Salem Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Manal Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Department and Noor Al Noman, Director of the Department of Information and e-Government.

Also present at the meeting were government communication, PR and media professionals from the 13 government entities involved in the second phase of the government support programme. The entities are Sharjah Art Foundation, Department of Human Resources, Department of Information and e-Government, Central Department of Finance, Sharjah Media Corporation, Department of Seaports and Customs, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Transport, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Environment and Protected Areas Authority and Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs.

The meeting also announced the addition of the said entities to the Government Communication Network, bringing the total number of its members to 28, and the launch of a training programme especially designed for government communication, PR and media professionals at these entities.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of SMC, said, “The second phase included several visits that were exchanged between SMC and the 13 government entities. Those visits saw the development of ideas and proposals that led to the launch of several initiatives aimed at enhancing performance and upgrading its mechanisms.” He added, “The methodology of the government support programme is based on working as one team whose members pursue one goal; that is achieving Sharjah’s vision, which is derived from the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.”

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi asserted that the goal of the programme is to identify the challenges facing government entities before dealing with them through a series of highly efficient training programmes.

Osama Samra, Director of SMC, emphasised the significant role of SMC’s government support programme, which was launched in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to promote communication between Sharjah’s various government entities on the one hand and between these entities and the local, Arab and international media on the other hand.

He noted, “The programme receives the support of Sharjah Executive Council and the collaboration of all government bodies in Sharjah.”

Hessa Alhammadi, Manager of SMC’s Government Communication Unit (GCU), gave a presentation on the results and recommendations of the second phase of the government support programme, which, according to her, aims to promote effective communication in all government communication departments in Sharjah.

She stressed on the need to develop the current mechanism of government communication in Sharjah so as to achieve maximum utilisation of the communication potential in most government authorities. She called on government institutions to use KPIs to measure the success of their various activities and initiatives in achieving their goals.

Alhammadi clarified that the GCU considers training as one of the most important kinds of support it provides to government authorities in Sharjah. She indicated that the workshops of the government support programme would enhance the communication tools currently used by government entities.

The workshops revolve around public speaking, media planning and management, as well as strategic communication. They are additionally centered on media monitoring, communication in times of crises, developing media messages, digital media, events and protocol.

Participants in the government support programme extended their gratitude and appreciation to Sharjah Media Centre for adopting the idea of the programme. According to the participants, SMC’s government support programme is poised to promote government communication, support constructive dialogue and encourage working as one team that pursues the same goals.

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